ALICE Project

The United Way ALICE Project provides a framework, language, and tools to measure and understand the struggles of a population called ALICE – an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE is the growing number of households in our communities that do not earn enough to afford basic necessities.

The report challenges the assumption that to be working means your household is able to meet all its basic expenses. In this year’s report, we learn that conditions have not improved over the two years since we first introduced ALICE to Iowans. In fact, our ALICE population in Iowa has climbed to 37 percent - meaning nearly 40 percent of Iowa households are facing a continual struggle to meet basic expenses despite working, earning and paying taxes. These workers are doing the jobs we rely on to make our communities run smoothly – they are cashiers, health care workers, child care providers, custodial staff, and customer service employees, and hold countless other vital jobs that make our days easier.

LIVE UNITED

It's a credo. A mission. A goal. A constant reminder that when we reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all. We build the strength of our neighborhoods. We bolster the health of our communities. And we change the lives of those who walk by us every day.